The sweet treats you know and love aren’t the only marshmallows in town.
Did you ever wonder where marshmallows get their name?
It is native to Europe and Asia and grows in wet, marshy environments.
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Here is more about the plant that gave its name to marshmallows.
How Was The Marsh Mallow Plant Used?
Those sweets once contained sap from the marshmallow plant and were used to treat ailments.
Marshmallow plants can be grown in ornamental or herb gardens in the U.S. and Canada in damp soils.
Owners of small candy stores whipped sap from the mallow root into a fluffy candy mold."
Tweaks to the method and ingredients followed, including using cornstarch to create molds and adding gelatin.
For instance, have you ever tried Ritz crackers instead of graham crackers?
Maybe it’s time you give it a try.
Yes, the mallow plant is perennial and will return each year in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3-9.
The roots have a slightly sweet, earthy flavor and gooey texture.
The ancient Egyptians mixed the sap with honey to add sweetness.
Marshmallows: History of Marshmallows.